When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Phillipi, he asked his disciples, “who do people say that the Son of Man is? “Well, they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” Matthew 16:13. NLT.

But then He got more personal. Then he asked them, “But who do you say that I am? This is such an important question. If we are to walk in the power and authority of the Lord, we must have settled in our hearts who we believe He is. Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God”. How powerful is that statement? You are the Messiah (the anointed one) and the Son of the Living (not dead) God! What good news! What a privilege to know the Living God!

When we clarify God’s identity to us, then we will have a better grip on who we are. I found an old journal where I listed in my journal who I am/was. I wrote it on September 4, 2004. Here is what I wrote

I am your daughter, purchased by Your blood; adopted into Your family; called to walk with You to influence others for Your kingdom. By encouragement, by loving words of grace, by living much an authentic life as possible, By obedience to Your call in Your Word and by Your Holy Spirit. Please help me to grow in this process, because I too often forget who I am.

Reading this entry, I realize this list still embodies my purpose and calling. God keeps answering this prayer when I get distracted and off track. Because He is the Living God, He meets us where we are. Obviously, this list did not include specific goals or steps to fulfill them, it just includes my heartfelt desires. With humility and gratitude, I see where He has helped me fulfill them. Have you ever taken the time to discover your call? His purpose for your life? It makes such a difference, especially when you navigate the twists, turns and decisions that must be made in this life.

I am so amazingly grateful to Him for the revelation of the call and purpose in my life. I had to first understand who He was who called me, then I could understand my purpose in the calling. It is humbling and often overwhelming to sit in His Presence letting ,Him touch and restore my soul. We find Jesus’ response to Peter. Jesus replied, “You are blessed Simon, son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. There are things the Holy Spirit wishes to reveal to each of us. He uses various means (like His Word, His still small voice, and others) to communicate these personal thoughts to us. The important thing is our ears and hearts are open to them. Fear or insecurity will shut down our faith, and without faith, we can’t hear Him.

Through a series of events, I found myself in Kodiak, Alaska, after college graduation. It was hard, lonely and wonderful at the same time. I spent much of the time seeking Him. The day I flew back to the Lower 48, I opened my Bible to Isiah 40:9 O Zion, You who bring good tidings, Get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, Lift up your voice with strength, Life it up, be not afraid; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God.” I read that verse, slammed my Bible shut and said, “That’s not me, I can’t do that”. After I landed, my friend took me to meet a lady who, like the woman at the well, “told me all I had ever done”. Actually, she prophesied this verse to me! This was the first time I thought about God’s specific call and purpose in my life. My life pivtoed and I was never the same again. (I also met Darryl that day!) I have used my teaching degree, but not in the way I thought I would!

When we find His purpose and our calling, things settle in place. Hard things are still hard, but there is a good reason to go through them. Trusting in God’s goodness and character enabled me to get through my husband’s stroke and subsequent passing. The calling He revealed to me, even before our marriage, is still in place today. Those prayers I wrote in 2004, He is still answering. He hopes to do the same for you.

If you already know His purpose and calling in your life, are you walking in it? God prepared each of us, like Esther, for this time in history. It is important we each walk it out to the fullest. Do not let Satan rob you of the joy of fulfilling that purpose, even when it is hard. Remember, He is the Living God who sees you, hears you, and desires to walk with you.

Father, thank you for the privilege of being Your children. Thank you, like Simon Peter, You long to reveal your purpose and plan for each of us. Remind us, when we lose sight of that calling and purpose. Stir up the gifts you have given to Your children. Let us not take them for granted. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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